Gold Coast remains optimistic Trent McKenzie will be available for Sunday’s final home-and-away match against West Coast, but the booming left-footer will need to pass a fitness test at Thursday’s main training session.
McKenzie was subbed out of last weekend’s match with Essendon after he reported signs of hamstring tightness.
But GC SUNS High Performance Manager, Stephen Schwerdt, told SUNS TV in this week’s Injury Update the decision to ice McKenzie in the final term was done so more out of precaution than necessity.
“It was unfortunate for Trent; we ended up subbing him out. It was a line ball decision,” he said.
“He was going okay, and it wasn’t that bad but you want to be on the safe side and don’t want guys tearing a hamstring.
“He trained this morning and we are hopeful he will progress throughout the week and be available, but that will be a decision for later on in the week.”
Daniel Gorringe was replaced in the senior team by Jack Leslie after failing to overcome a knee complaint, but is tracking well in his recovery.
“He is making slow progress; we were optimistic he would come up last week… he has a few hurdles before he gets selected but we will wait and see with ‘Goz’” Schwerdt said.
Meantime, Schwerdt said Greg Broughton appears to be on the mend from an elbow injury which has sidelined the veteran defender in recent weeks.
“He did some training over the week and we’re confident he will be available for selection this week.”
Pleasingly for SUNS fans, Steven May is also nearing full fitness and is expected to train alongside the senior squad on Thursday.
“(He has) done the three weeks which seems to be the timeframe for a low grade hamstring strain, so that will be a decision for later in the week,” Schwerdt said.
“He will train with our main group later on Thursday and then we will make a decision, but optimistic he might be a chance.”
